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| Thursday, January 27, 2000 Governor Tommy G. Thompson Secretary Linda Stewart | News Media Contact Shawn Smith 608/264-6810 e-mail: news@dwd.state.wi.us fax: 608/266-1784 |
MILWAUKEE W-2 AGENCIES GO EXTRA MILE FOR HOUSING
Madison-Milwaukee W-2 Agencies are going above and beyond to help Milwaukee families secure adequate affordable housing, the Department of Workforce Development announced today.
In a first of its kind effort, Employment Solutions, Inc, a Milwaukee agency responsible for delivering W-2 services to two Milwaukee regions, mailed out 4,000 flyers to their entire W-2 and Food Stamp caseload to notify them of the deadline for applying for subsidized housing.
The City of Milwaukee Housing Authority will accept new applications for subsidized housing and rental assistance from today through Saturday only. This is possibly the only time for another three years that new applications will be accepted. Available programs include Section 8 and Low Rent Public Housing programs, both of which ensure that low-income families spend no more than 30% of their income on housing.
"These efforts to reach out to families who may benefit from subsidized housing demonstrate W-2’s commitment to providing services to those in need," Secretary Linda Stewart remarked.
MAXIMUS, another W-2 agency, also distributed over 5,000 flyers by mail and through community organizations to W-2 and Food Stamp clients urging them to take advantage of this important supportive service. MAXIMUS also made staff available to help people through the application process itself.
The W-2 Agencies encouraged their clients to call the 24-hour housing hotline and provided them information on the details they would need to complete an application for housing over the phone.
The Milwaukee agencies sent out the notifications as part of its overall strategy to combat housing issues faced by low-income families they serve. W-2 Agencies are required by contract to establish Children’s Services Networks. These networks are developed to provide a one stop referral network for information on charitable food and clothing centers, subsidized and low income housing, homeless shelters, domestic abuse services, and various other resources.
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